A 42-YEAR-OLD man who hurled racist abuse at a man and a woman in a Borders car park has been fined and ordered to pay compensation at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

David Futter pleaded guilty to acting in an aggressive manner towards two people and directing threatening and abusive remarks towards them in a racially-aggravated incident in Hawick on September 21 last year.

Procurator fiscal Alasdair Fay said it was an embarrassment for the Borders that the couple were subjected to such racist abuse.

He told the court how Futter approached them outside a café at around twenty five past two and said hello but they did not respond.

Futter then made various racist and abusive remarks towards them.

Mr Fay said the woman told Futter he was being racist and took a photograph of him for evidence which led to more abuse.

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Futter later told police it was “ridiculous” the way he had been treated and acted aggressively when being cautioned and charged.

Defence lawyer Stephanie Clinkscale said her client had been told he was a racist and a dirty filthy pervert by the woman.

She said: “This all started with the accused saying hello a number of times and was ignored.”

But she added: “He was drinking quite heavily at the time and was under the influence and has no recollection of it all.”

Futter was ordered to pay £75 each to the man and woman in compensation and was fined £90 and ordered to pay a £10 victim surcharge.

For failing to turn up at a court hearing he was fined another £90 with another £10 victim surcharge bringing the total up to £350.